SumoKids Foundation
SumoKids After
School Program Case Statement
Section 1 Executive Summary
The
SumoKids Foundation is a registered charity whose
core
Section 2 History
SumoKids Program is the culmination of years of
research and development on the part of Mr. Charles (Charlie) Bray. Mr. Bray is
a former professional football player who initially used the leveraging and
pushing technique of Sumo wrestling to help high school and college football
teams improve their blocking skills. He quickly noted that the players
responded positively not only to the physical techniques but also to the other
aspects of the sport of Sumo and its training regiments.
As
a result of research in modern learning methodology the Program grew to include
elements beyond the sport of Sumo. Through a process of ‘stealth education’ -
where the children essentially learn through play - the SumoKids
Program provides a wide range of benefits to participants.
The
current Program is designed as a free-of-charge after school initiative. The
framework of the Program is getting the children to participate in educational
sports festivals. They take on various roles in the planning and production of
a festival. The Program weaves the traditional arts of Sumo wrestling with
elements of contemporary youth culture into an exciting youth adventure. As
noted below, the children acquire life skill techniques involving self-discipline,
goal setting and empathy development.
Section 3 Current Activities
SumoKids conducted a pilot program at a number of
schools and community centers in the
Section 4 Areas of Need and Skill Acquisition
The
SumoKids Program did not flinch from any challenges.
Its first projects involved students from inner city schools where the needs and
challenges are all too well documented. The Program is designed to meet these
needs and challenges through improved self-esteem and personal responsibility.
Some of key results are as follows:
Cultivating
Cultural Diversity
Part of the process of introducing Sumo to
the students is to outline its roots and history. The process is geared to
expanding their cultural awareness. The children are taught about
Developing
Self-Discipline
The usual benefits of martial arts training
apply to Sumo wrestling, which is often referred to as the original martial
art. Among the things that the kids pick up are:
*Controlling emotion and actions *Showing honor and respect
*Harnessing impatience *Showing courtesy and
dignity
Setting
Effective Goals
The Program teaches the children goal
setting techniques. This begins through goals set relating to their training
and planning for the educational sports festivals. It quickly grows into the
setting of effective goals for their school work and personal lives. Learning
to set effective goals is clearly a life changing tool.
Cultivating
Empathy
The Program actively cultivates
consideration of others. Part of the process is to include children of varying
backgrounds including different cultures or communities. Some participants even
have serious physical disabilities! The program is designed to draw
participants together and forge new friendships among children who would not
otherwise have thought of even speaking with one another!
Physical
Activity
The Program would be worthwhile simply for
encouraging the children to participate in physical activity and exercise. The
festival concept requires students to take on
different roles but no
matter the role all participants get involved in the basic stretching and
workouts. That includes, to the limit of their ability to do so, all the
participants with special physical challenges.
The
overall package of tools developed in the short time with these children is
truly amazing and has surprised even the most seasoned educator. It is the
reason why the SumoKids Initiative Program is being
sought by school boards from across the country.
Section 5 Broader Impact and
The
pilot program in
The
SumoKids Foundation is therefore seeking the resources
to expand the SumoKids After
School Program beginning in the 2009-10 academic year. It will build upon its
success and look to offer the Program wherever there is a call for its help.
There
is an opportunity to contribute to the growth and expansion of this innovative
and successful program. This generosity
will be recognized through an appropriate donor recognition program.
The
SumoKids Foundation is dedicated to helping young
people develop the valuable coping skills needed in a difficult and ever more
complicated world. It is looking for community partners that share the same
social concerns and who are willing to back an innovative and successful
program that provides that help to those with the greatest need.
Contact Information
The
SumoKids Foundation
Attention:
Mr. Charlie Bray
charlie@sumokidsfoundation.org
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